Scan barcode
amalas_bookstop's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book had so much more than I was expecting! Meet Lilly she is just one branch of this dysfunctional Chinese American family that is full of secrets. In this book you will find commentary of what does it mean to be an American and if you could change things, would you?
This is a 600 page literary fiction, she really gives time for each family member to tell their journey and for reader to understand how their story contributes to the family whole.
This book also has a touch of magical realism (Chinese fable come to life) and a science fiction (or is it?). This ended being the perfect book to read for the holidays.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
lizmart88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Powerful storytelling with complicated characters who bring their whole selves to the page. Every character was really richly layered with all their foibles and dreams and while I didn't like everyone, I could at least relate in some way to every character. I loved the grappling with the question of who are the real americans? What does it mean to be American? It explores class and race, inheritances of all kinds, and what it means to make choices that affect your descendents. Definitely recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Minor: Racism and Colonisation
caitlinpfry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just when you think you have a particular point of view about a character, another’s experiences of them puts it into question. Absolutely loved this story - its parallels, its conflicts, its decisions, its diversity. Highly recommending to my fellow readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
uphorikbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic